A botanical reference guide of morphological terms, plant structures, propagation techniques, and campus flora definitions.
Explore terms organized by botanical structure, morphology, and arboricultural concepts.
Stolon A shoot that grows along or under the ground at the ends of which new plants can sprout Did you know? Strawberry runners are stolons that root at nodes and form new plants.
Striate Having fine lines. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
Strigose With sharp, stiff, straight hairs that lie flat. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
Strobilus A cone. This feature helps explain how flowers are arranged, how pollination happens, or how seeds begin to form. Did you know? Pine cones are strobili; their scales protect seeds until conditions are right for release.
Subacute Having a pointed end, but not sharply pointed. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
Subcordate Almost heart-shaped or cordate. Botanists use this feature to describe leaf shape, surface, edge, or arrangement, which helps with plant identification.
Subspecies A subdivision of a species. This term helps classify plants so they can be identified and discussed clearly.
Subtended Located below and close to another structure. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
See Subtend
Subulate Slender and tapering to a point. Awl-shaped. This feature helps describe plant form, function, or identification.
The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Administrative Operations